Bonneville Power Administration

http://www.bpa.gov

Agency Topics Finance & Rates Jobs Public Involvement Contact Advanced About BPA Newsroom Publications Education Doing Business

BPA Home About BPA Tribes Tribal Utility Formation

Our Mission Who Are We? BPA Facts Strategic Direction Annual Report Our Execs Organizational Chart History Legacy of Conservation Reading Room Tribal Affairs Office Adjust your View! Select a Font... Arial Century Gothic Courier Helvetica Georgia Times Verdana Select a Size... 9px 10px 11px 12px 13px 14px 15px 16px 17px 18px 19px 20px 22px

Tribal Utility Formation The Energy Policy Act of 1992 paved the way for competition in the electric power industry. Tribes across the country now have an opportunity to redefine their traditional roles in receiving electric service and are considering forming utilities in response to wholesale deregulation of the electric industry. While challenges exist, there can be significant benefits for tribes in utility formation including providing and encouraging tribal employment, supporting conservation and resource development, and improving utility infrastructure and service. Owning and operating utilities allows tribes to work in their best interest and that of tribal members. A tribal utility can work for the sustainable development of the tribe through policies set and accepted by tribal members. Access to cost-based power from federal power marketing administrations in most cases will lower tribal members’ utility bills. BPA requires that six Standards for Service be met before an entity can become a utility customer. The purchaser must: be legally formed in accordance with local, state, federal or tribal laws; own a distribution system and be ready, willing and able to take power from BPA within a reasonable period of time; have a general utility responsibility within the service area; have the financial ability to pay BPA for the federal power it purchases; have adequate utility operations and structure; and be able to purchase power in wholesale amounts. A more detailed discussion of these standards can be found at: http://www.bpa.gov/power/pl/subscription/sfs_policy.pdf For more information regarding tribal utility formation, please contact the following Power Service Line Account Executives. Eastern Power Business Area: Garry Thompson at 206-625-1303 or grthompson@bpa.gov Western Power Business Area: Shannon Greene at 206-220-6775 or skgreene@bpa.gov Tribal Affairs Office Home Tribal Policy Services and Programs Resource Information Contact Us